According to our developmental pediatrician, the release of the 24-hr version has been delayed b/c the pharmaceutical has been marketing Vyvynase so much.
After reading these posts I am wondering if Tenex may be an option for my son. Hyperactivity, defiance, bossiness ect... so far no academic problems. The concerta has helped but I feel that we need to up the dosage as it only lasts for about 4-5 weeks and behavior returns. Sounds like alot of people have good luck with this.
I did mention this to my behavior ped and she didn't think it was a good idea??? Not only these issues but he has no trouble falling asleep but he has no quality of sleep......terrible night terrors, talking, moving in his sleep...maybe this would help as well?
It was helpful for my son and we got through a stim free summer with an opportunity to grow. Lots of parents have reported that it is helpful for sleep but for my son he was sleep walking when I gave him a bedtime dose. I was not the only one who reported this, when I back up the evening dose to dinner time, all was well.They started him with half a tablet morning and evening. Half of a 1mg tablet!
I think the problem with the difience is that he has no meds in his sytem and is very difient! He also has to take 7 pills in the morning ( 6 Amino Acids +1 Focalin) 1 Focalin at 2pm, 6 pills at 4pm and 4pills at bedtime. I think he just may be sick and tired of taking all the pills adding one more pill ( even at half 1/2 a table might push him over the edge!)
AHHHHHHHHHHHH Id be sick of takin f%&*$# pills too! I think I will try that reward system of Orgams! I have been procrastinating to long. We will try really hard to set it up tonight! My hubby is home today so I'll ask him to keep me on task!! If I don't procrastinate telling him too! LOL
I think I will call and see if I can have the amino acids opened up and put in something.
Any advice would be wonderfull!!
meli39183.3136689815Meli,
Always talk to the doc, but my daughter's psychiatrist allows for 1/2mg adjustments and the middle of the day dose (1/2mg) for us can be skipped anytime. When we started at 1/2mg we could give it only as needed; no worries about skipping doses. It is when you get to the higher doses that there is a potential issue. If the guanfacine helps, watch for shire to release thier once a day long acting form later this year (that might further ease the pill battle).
I think if you can open up the amino acids and make them easier to take, that might really help. That is a lot of pills for a 7 year old to take.
You will find with the marble system, the most valuble part is that it will make you more consistant. I know that is what it did for me and how it became successfull at my house.
I have the feeling this is a more strict psychiatrist because of ther treatment program he is going through. I have an appointment with the theripst tomarrow and I will be able to leave a message for him. He is at the clinic on tuesdays and fridays. The thought of one more pill(*sigh*) I hpoe it turns out to be no big deal to skip one at 1/2 a pill! Thanks so much! I think I will start that log you suggested also!!The guanfacine will help with the defiance issues too. It has been soooo great for Chase. Makes him just that little bit more mellow and compliant....
I do think if you can put those aminos into one thing and mix it in, that would cut way down on the # of pills he takes.
Don't take this wrong.....but have you noticed enough of a difference with the aminos to warrant the battle for him to take them? I don't want to offend you or make you mad, but if the difference in taking the aminos is not dramatic, and the difference in the addition of the focalin has been......it may be worth cutting back on those if you cannot convince him to take them willingly.....
I know when we had to add the prilosec to heal Chase after his month of vomiting, he kind of sighed and said "Oh mom, that is another pill I have to take..." and my heart just ached for him....but now he takes his 2 (30mg) ritalin LA, his 1mg guanfacine, his 4mg periactin, and his prilosec, scoops them all into his palm, then takes them all in one fell swoop! The periactin and the guanfacine are tiny, the prilosec is not too big, the ritalin LA are a decent sized capsule....he is impressed that he can take them all at once....maybe your son would like that contest...."Let's see how many you can take at one time!" Or "let's see just how fast you can be done...ready, set.......GO!"
Good point chasesmom,
I give a marble for each time my daughter reminds me about her meds before I say anything.
If you are not already doins so, you might start a log of med times and doses and behaviors. It will help taylor the med to your son's needs. One advantage to the guanfacine that we have found, is that we can take med breaks from the stim and keep pretty good behavior.
vickie39182.3936805556
The Dr. Just perscribed this but I am afraid ds will refuse to take it. He has hid pills in the past or out of the blue refused to take them. I thought this was one that you can't just stop. (thats what the pharmasist said) Dose anyone know if you can skip a day here and there or stop tacking it with out any with draws?
What dose this med do? Why do they presribe it for ADHD?
Guanfacine( tenex) is a blood pressure med that is used for ADHD. It does help with impulsiveness, and sleep. It cannot be skipped.meli, perhaps as he starts to feel more in control of his moods and feelings, he will become more aware that the meds are helping, and will be more happy to take them.
Chase has been on the guanfacine since Christmas break, and he can look back and see how much better able to cope he is now, as opposed to before he was taking the guanfacine. He commented on it at the med check yesterday.
Perhaps you can tie taking the meds willingly to a daily reward....take the meds w/o a hassle, earn marbles, money, a treat....
Hi meli,
Look for the Tenex thread (I will try to find it and Bump it for you). I really like the combo of stim and guanfacine for my youngest. It should only be changed by 1/2mg incriments and should not be stopped suddenly.
What is the starting dose and when is it being given?
My daughter takes 2mg AM and 2mg PM with a 1/2mg booster if she will be in a trying social situation. It calms her, helps with defiance, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It has helped her get and keep friends and have a social life.
Later this year, shire should have approval for a long acting form of guanfacine for ADHD. The studies were positive. We even tried it alone, but the stim was needed for the best outcome at school.